CHAPTER VII

Summary

• Sir William stayed at Hunsford for a week, during which he was pleased with his daughter Charlotte's comfortable marriage and home.
• Mr. Collins spent his mornings driving Sir William around and showing him the countryside.
• After Sir William's departure, the household at Hunsford resumed its normal routines, with Mr. Collins spending much of his time in his own room or the garden.
• Elizabeth noticed that Charlotte deliberately chose a less appealing sitting room at the back of the house to ensure Mr. Collins would spend more time in his own space.
• Mr. Collins regularly reported carriages passing by, especially noting Miss De Bourgh's drives, and she occasionally stopped to briefly converse with Charlotte.
• Visits to Rosings became a regular activity for Mr. and Mrs. Collins, and Lady Catherine inspected and critiqued every aspect of their household during her visits.
• Elizabeth observed Lady Catherine's active role in managing parish matters, often intervening in disputes and village issues.
• Elizabeth attended bi-weekly dinners at Rosings, which were repetitive but tolerable, with limited social engagements otherwise suiting her well.
• Elizabeth enjoyed outdoor walks, especially along a quiet sheltered path in the park, which offered her solitude away from Lady Catherine's watchful eyes.
• Rumors of Mr. Darcy's impending arrival at Rosings spread, and Elizabeth anticipated seeing him for amusement and curiosity about his behavior.
• Mr. Darcy arrived at Rosings along with his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, a well-mannered gentleman, whom Elizabeth found pleasant.
• Mr. Collins wasted no time reporting Mr. Darcy's arrival and brought both gentlemen to the parsonage for a visit.
• Elizabeth greeted Mr. Darcy with a curtsey, while Colonel Fitzwilliam engaged everyone in polite conversation.
• Mr. Darcy, reserved as usual, eventually inquired about Elizabeth's family, leading her to subtly bring up Jane's time in London, testing his reaction regarding the Bingleys' treatment of her sister.
• Mr. Darcy responded awkwardly to Elizabeth's question about Jane before the visit concluded and the gentlemen left.